Jacob Oostra

Rock Valley, Iowa: Jacob “Jake” Oostra, 85, of Rock Valley died Saturday, October 24, 2015 at the Hegg Memorial Health Center in Rock Valley. The funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at the First Christian Reformed Church in Rock Valley with Rev. Matthew Haan officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery. Visitaton with the family present will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Monday, October 26, 2015 at Porter Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be left online at www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

Jake Oostra was born February 26, 1930 in Hull, Iowa to John and Kate (Van Surksum) Oostra. Jake was united in marriage to Teresa De Ruyter on February 24, 1950. Together the couple made their home near Rock Valley and filled it with three children. Jake worked as a livestock dealer for nearly 50 years before retiring. He always enjoyed his annual fishing trips with the Oostra clan, and planting and caring for his large vegetable gardens. His grandchildren were his pride and joy and were often found on his lap, even late into their teenage years. Jake will forever be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and his great example of hard work and his Christian faith.

Jake is survived by his wife of 65 years, Teresa; children, grandchildren, great grandchildren. Daughter: Shonna (Jerry) Plasier – Teresa (Russ) Wessling – Alicia and Jackie; Aimee (Jeff) Heide – Kalie, Kelsie, Alex, Danielle, Jeffrey and Adam; and Holly (John) Rotach – Lilly and Ian. Son: Stan (Lori) Oostra – Jesse (Sara) Hurt – Haley, Parker, and Eli; Jacob (Jessica) Oostra – Jazlynn; Jason, and Jordan. Special friend of the family: Titus Drenth. Siblings: Mary Grooters of Hull, Iowa; William (Lois) Oostra of Winneconne, Wisconsin; Andrew (Wilmina) Oostra of Rock Valley, Iowa; and Robert (Muriel) Oostra of Hull, Iowa; and sister-in-law, Alice Oostra of Lynden, Washington.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Jay Oostra (March 15, 2015); siblings, Andrew Oostra, Berdina (Gerrit) Van Maanen, John (Elizabeth) Oostra, Richard (Geraldine) Oostra, Ralph (Cynthia and Henrietta) Oostra, Marinus Oostra, Ruth (Gerrit) Van Engen, Gerald (Gert) Oostra; and brother-in-law, Ray Grooters.